policy and politics from a local government and democracy viewpoint, written by the team at LGiU

Those expenses claims

Day 4 of the Daily Telegraph led news coverage of MPs expenses claims. “It was within the rules” seems to be the only response that MPs can muster. A friend of mine who isn’t the least bit interested in politics said to me over the weekend that the expenses claims are to be expected because MPs don’t get paid enough. But up and down the country c0uncillors, particularly Leaders and Cabinet Members, are working full time, or a full time equivelent on top of their paid employment, for peanuts in most cases, without making up for lost earnings with expenses claims. Let’s hope the public recognise the difference and local politicians don’t get tarred with the same brush.